"A schism is a division of a group into two or parts because of a disagreement," quoted Lemony. As a researcher and writer, he knew many definitions. But he didn't understand what this had to do with being kidnapped. "I suppose you want to know what this has to do with kidnapping you," Olaf continued.

"There's going to be a schism at VFD, and Olaf is starting it. You already knew that something was going to happen, thanks to all your research," Esme explained quickly. "Now can we drive to an 'in' inn?"

"Esme, how many times do I have to tell you," the Count shouted. "When you finish my sentences, it ruins the anticipation." One thing villains enjoy, other than killing people and stealing fortunes, is revealing their evil schemes. Esme wasn't so much in this rebellion for the villainrey, as much as she was because Olaf had a car which was considered very "in."

"Because you did suspect something, Snicket, you are given a choice," muttered Olaf dangerously. "You can join our side, or die under suspicious circumstances when this car crashes into a tree and catches fire." At this, Esme sighed loudly.

"Olaf, dahling, we will have caused the crash! What's so suspicious about that?"

"Of course we caused the crash!" Olaf shouted, immediately feeling better. Yelling, of course, really doesn't help anything, but Olaf enjoyed it none the less. Particularily when he was yelling at living things that are defenseless. "We're trying to confuse the police and that ridiculous organization, VFD, not ourselves."

"Little late for that," joked Lemony. Olaf glared at him. Esme, having no idea what that meant, tried to figure it out.

"It's harder than you think," Esme informed her companion. "I was a police officer once, you know. When it was in, obviously."

"Honey, I hate to break it to you, but most folks are quite a bit smarter than you are," Lemony mocked, talking in a slow voice. Normally he wasn't sarcastic or rude, but being nervous and tired can make people do things they don't often do.

At the headquarters:

"The key to finding Lemony is to find that car," Jacques reasoned.

"We had better use the horses. There aren't any cars left, and we can't follow on foot if we want to catch up," Jerome pointed out. Jacques agreed. Once on the horses, they went off in the direction given to them by Monty.

"So, who is this Olaf?" asked Jerome. "And what does he have to do with the disappearance?" Having been gone as long as he had, it was reasonable that he was a little confused.

"Lemony and Olaf are best friends. For the past few months, Lemony, Kit and I have been working on a file titled "The Snicket File," due to our suspicions about a conspiracy within VFD. Perhaps Olaf took Lemony away to protect him against that very conspiracy. I have no idea how your wife works into this whole thing."

"But," began Jerome. "Conspiracies only exist in the government. They're those crazy ideas that people make up about aliens being hidden in the Southwest."

Unfortunately, Jerome is wrong on several counts. Conspiracies are not just limited to the government, can have absolutely nothing to do with aliens, and take place very far away from the Southwest.

Even worse, Jacques was also wrong. What Olaf was up to was the very opposite of protecting Lemony.